I usually find that there is a time of year when everything just explodes and life gets super crazy. Birthday season never ends, wedding seasons tend to flourish and baby showers abound. There are football finals, spring in the air, which somehow turns to summer when no-one’s looking. Then, roll on Christmas, New Year and the usual holiday shenanigans (now new and improved with child). So…basically, our crazy season goes from somewhere in August, to…oh, February the following year.
At least that’s how it’s felt the last few years.
Each weekend becomes chock full with commitments. Each week day carries a pressure to meet some kind of deadline/appointment etc with everything having to run as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Spare time is a precious commodity. Mental space is limited.
I admit that I get overwhelmed. I can’t say yes to everything. I can’t be the perfect friend/family member. I never know the balance between self care and selfishness (obviously wanting to lean much further towards the latter). I feel stretched thin.
I am constantly dealing with seemingly random dates just stretching out in front of me, swimming in my brain and popping up in the wee hours when I should be asleep. I try to keep all of these dates safe in my daily planning diary, but it never feels like I have remembered everything.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not some kind of socialite. I’m not Miss Popular (seriously, dudes – c’mon it’s me). I just seem to have a diverse range of (select) social circles and family commitments. I need to find ways to keep myself energised, motivated and financially not freaking out. I need to feel OK with what I can do and not kill myself with guilt over what I can’t do.
I need to be organised and positive. I need to take things one step at a time and not become overwhelmed by the marathon ahead of me. In fact, I need to maybe think of it not as a gruelling marathon, but more of a rewarding challenge (some may think that’s what a marathon is, but you are all probably more fit than me). It will be what I make of it, right?
I really hope I do all of these things as a friend. Of course there are always areas I can improve (please don’t all volunteer your suggestions all at once!), but I hope that despite the fact that I can’t be there for everything, always, that my friends know I care about them and want them in my life. I’ve had a crazy few years and while I can’t always talk about quite personal things that have taken my time and energy, I hope one day people will understand.
I need to remember that there’s not much point going crazy over all the things I need to do between now…and next February (conservative estimate haha). I need to just let it sit how it is and work through the list bit by bit. Stress is a choice. I need to remember to choose ‘calm’ and let things be what they are. They’re not going anywhere. I’ve got this…right?
What’s on your mind this week?
